RJ Hamster
Someone’s Bracing for Impact
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Don here…
Brandon Chapman just caught something that should make every trader pause. While the S&P rallied over 1% on Greenland headlines, institutional traders were loading up on downside protection in massive size.
The disconnect is striking. VIX selling drove the market higher today. But Brandon’s Ghost Prints surveillance system flagged a very different story underneath the surface.
Here’s what Brandon uncovered in tonight’s video:
- Someone bought 136,000 put contracts on FXI in a single print. Another 45,000 followed shortly after. That’s nearly 200,000 contracts of downside exposure added to Chinese large caps in one session.
- ASHR saw 46,000 put contracts bought at or near the ask. The smaller cap Chinese ETF is drawing the same bearish attention as the big names.
- EWZ got 17,500 put contracts purchased outright at the 34 strike. Brazilian equities are being hedged aggressively even as PBR surged 8%.
- LQD, the investment grade corporate bond ETF, attracted 15,000 put contracts.When traders hedge credit alongside emerging markets, they’re preparing for something broader.
- The SKEW index actually ticked higher as the VIX rose. Brandon flagged this as unusual. Tail risk expectations are increasing even during the selloff.
The China angle has a clear catalyst. Brandon showed the Chinese yuan has been strengthening against the dollar for months. Every time that trend reverses, FXI drops hard. The pattern repeated in August, September, and last fall.
If the dollar starts strengthening again, all that put gamma could accelerate the move lower.
Brandon’s volatility ratio sits at 1.14 today. Anything above 1.2 signals expectations of a 5-10% correction. One more down day in the VIX pushes us right back into that danger zone.
The rallies on Greenland and tariff headlines added more market cap than it would cost to actually buy Greenland. That’s not conviction. That’s desperation.
To your success,
Don Kaufman
Chief Market Strategist, TheoTRADE
P.S.The VIX dropped. The market rallied 1%. Everything looked fine. Underneath? Big money bought 180,000 put contracts on China in a single session. They’re not celebrating. They’re hedging for something you’re not seeing yet.
Jeff Bierman helped build the systems tracking these moves. His Genesis Cog reveals where institutions are positioned before price catches up.
The Market’s No. 1 Trading Guide, Free
This is the perfect time to make sure you’re up to speed on your trading know-how. So I want to ensure you’ve read our free Rebel’s Guide to Trading Options – it covers all the basics of trading options. Like everything we do, the course is in plain English. It’s specially geared toward beginners but all traders will get something out of it. Yours absolutely free, of course – right here…
Recent Media Appearances by TheoTrade
Jeff Bierman talks A.I. with YahooFinance LIVE
Click here to watch and read the interview >>>
Follow Us on Twitter for Free Market Updates Throughout the Day: https://twitter.com/
NEW MEDIA CHANNEL – JOIN TheoTRADE on RUMBLE
NEED HELP? LOOKING FOR MORE ADVANCED TRAINING? CALL OUR VIP CONCIERGE SUPPORT TEAM: (623) 244-5657
For live updates throughout the week join the TotalTheo® Unlimited Monthly Streaming: https://theotrade.
Get 6 Months Membership Access for FREE
Click Here to Open and Fund a NEW tastytrade Account
Follow these step by step directions:
1. To open an account with tastytrade and enjoy an additional 6 months of TheoTRADE membership, start by clicking the button below..
2. Follow the directions on that page to open a new account.
3. Fund the account with a minimum of $2,000 in the next 30 days and keep open for at least 6 months.
4. IMPORTANT: After the new account is open AND funded email support@theotrade.com so we can verify your new account. Please note it may take us up to one week to verify your account from the time you email us.
5. TheoTrade will then provide you membership access for 6 months!
Click here to get started now…
NEED HELP? LOOKING FOR MORE ADVANCED TRAINING? CALL OUR VIP CONCIERGE TEAM: (623) 244-5657
Warm regards,
Don Kaufman
Disclaimer: Neither TheoTrade or any of its officers, directors, employees, other personnel, representatives, agents or independent contractors is, in such capacities, a licensed financial adviser, registered investment adviser, registered broker-dealer or FINRA|SIPC|NFA-member firm. TheoTrade does not provide investment or financial advice or make investment recommendations. TheoTrade is not in the business of transacting trades, nor does TheoTrade agree to direct your brokerage accounts or give trading advice tailored to your particular situation. Nothing contained in our content constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, promotion, or endorsement of any particular security, other investment product, transaction or investment. Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time. Past Performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
WARNING: If you UNSUBSCRIBE, you will be removed from ALL email lists, including any paid subscription emails. To opt out of this list only and keep other access, forward this email to support@theotrade.com and say “remove me from this particular email list.” Unsubscribe
TheoTrade
16427 N Scottsdale Rd
Suite # 410
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
United States
1 (800) 256-8876
